The Value Of Valor - KJ3 Read Free Page A

the first time, so he tried again. “Ms. Kyle?”
    “Yes?”
    “To the best of your knowledge, was anyone else in the car with Ms.
    Parker?”
    “No,” she murmured.
    “Ms. Kyle,” he said softly, “no one could have survived that impact—no one.”
    “I can’t give up on her. I just can’t. Doesn’t the FBI have new technology that can identify a person from her DNA?”
    “Yes, ma’am, but as I said, there simply wasn’t enough material to work with; the heat of the fire destroyed the bone marrow from which we would have drawn samples. I’m so sorry.”
    Desperate to hold herself together, Kate thanked the agent for coming to the house to give her the latest update on the investigation into Jay’s accident and dismissed him.

    “She’ll always be alive in your heart.”
    Kate looked up from where she still sat on the couch to see Dr.
    Barbara Jones standing in the doorway. Her tears began anew.
    Barbara was Kate’s physician and one of her closest friends. Theirs was a relationship formed out of mutual respect, love, and admiration.
    Barbara had seen Kate through some tough situations, patching her up physically and supporting her emotionally. “Kate, you did everything you could.”
    “No. Don’t you understand? I left her there. I gave up on her.”
    “That’s not true, honey.” Barbara switched to a different tack. “What more could you have done?”
    Kate began pacing manically. Her voice trembled. “I could have stayed. I could have searched myself.”
    “Kate, you got to the site within hours of the first report of the accident. You stayed there for two days while state police and FBI agents Lynn Ames

    combed the area. You watched while forensic experts reconstructed the path of the car and assessed the speed of impact. You saw them collect whatever evidence there was to find.”
    “What if she’s out there somewhere, Barbara? Hurt, alone, and frightened.” She could barely get the words out.
    “Oh, Kate.” She enveloped the grieving woman in a hug, knowing from her vast experience with comforting the inconsolable, that there was nothing more to say. Only time could heal this kind of wound.
    “Hi.”
    The two women looked up as a tall man in his late thirties crossed the threshold to Kate’s living room.
    “Hi, Peter.”
    Peter Enright was Kate’s best friend and confidant. An expert in technology, weapons, and security, he was the older brother Kate never had.
    “The FBI guy just left.”
    “I know, I saw him on the way out. He looks like he went ten rounds with Muhammad Ali. What’d you do to him, Kate?”
    She sighed, moving away from Barbara to stare blankly out the window. “I’m sorry about that. I guess I just want different answers than he can give me.”
    “Ah, so you browbeat him. I get it now. He’s just doing his job.”
    Peter moved to Kate and put a comforting hand on her arm to lessen the impact of his words. “He can’t change the outcome or bring Jay back.”
    “I know.”
    Kate was plainly beyond exhaustion, with deep circles etched under her normally vibrant blue eyes. Her hair, usually a glossy black, was dull and unruly. Her skin was unnaturally pale, and she was gaunt.
    “Why don’t you go lie down for a little while? Barbara and I will fix some coffee and breakfast. I’ll call you when it’s ready.”
    “No.”
    Barbara stepped in. “As your doctor, Katherine, I order you to get some rest.” When Kate looked as if she would snap at her, Barbara softened her tone. “As your friend, I’m really worried about you. It won’t do anyone any good if you get sick. Please?”
    “I can’t sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I see Jay.” A single tear slid down Kate’s face. “I can’t close my eyes anymore. It’s too painful.”
    “Kate, you have to sleep. Here, take this.” Barbara handed Kate a pill.
    “What is it?”
    “Just something to help you sleep—soundly—for a couple of hours.”
    “You know I hate to take